The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

[Wilsonfamily4]

We are going in April but are thinking of taking a short trip November 20-23. We will be staying off-site, so no early entry or express passes. We are not Harry Potter fans( yet, we are going to watch the first movie this weekend) so FJ is not a must see at this time. Do you think we will be able to experience WWoHP during this short time or should we just wait until April? Thanks

I just watched the first one over Memorial Day weekend when they ran all of them, except The Half-Blood Prince. I am now a HUGE fan. I have now read each book at least twice and seen all movies now out at least 4 times. Some of that is because I have kids that really enjoy the first one so we watch that once every few weeks. I had no desire to go Universal but now am trying to convince family to go WDW so I can check out Harry potter one day.

 

[enchantingodin]

The snow on the ground will have been trodden underfoot and therefore melted and disappeared whereas the snow on the roofs is untouched so lasts longer.

Well yes of course. But I think there should have at least been a little in the 'corners' if you will... Seems so unrealistic.

 

[La2kw]

This may have been already talked about, I've tried to keep up, but does anyone else think it looks weird that there is "snow" on the roofs but none on the ground... Bugs me. And I'm a native floridian...

It's spring, not winter in Hogsmeade, so the snow on the ground has melted already, or been "trodden" as previously posted. If there was snow on the ground, it would have to be alot of snow since Hogsmeade is located in Scotland.

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of USA Today


Harry Potter helps Orlando hotels hike rates for first time in two years

Harry Potter's working his magic on Orlando hotels.

The buzz about the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios is fueling Orlando visits - and hotel rates, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Some hotels are so full that they're hiking rates for the first time in two years, the story says.

"We're definitely inching up on our rates," John Parkinson, general manager of the Embassy Suites on International Drive, tells the paper. "Summer looks great."

New statistics from hotel industry tracker Smith Travel Research indicate that Orlando-area hotels filled 66.1% of rooms in June, up 4.2% from a year earlier, the Sentinel reports. The average rate also increased, though to a lesser extent. The average daily room rate of $91 rose 2.1%, marking the first year-over-year boost in Orlando since June 2008, the paper says.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been drawing large crowds since unofficial previews began in late May, the story says. The attraction official opened on June 18.

Hotels on Universal Studios property - including the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel - have also seen a bump in business since the Harry Potter attraction opened, the story says.




Source: http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/p...ke-rates-for-first-time-in-two-years/100437/1



.

 

[bubba's mom]

I can certainly see that ^

Last weekend, every room onsite was sold out.

That said....we stayed at PBH the cheapest we've EVER stayed there (on AP rate)... $179/$199. Guess they didn't raise the AP rate?

 

[mjohnson96]

I can certainly see that ^

Last weekend, every room onsite was sold out.

That said....we stayed at PBH the cheapest we've EVER stayed there (on AP rate)... $179/$199. Guess they didn't raise the AP rate?

Don't jinx us, waiting for the rates to come out for February 2011 still

 

[bubba's mom]

Don't jinx us, waiting for the rates to come out for February 2011 still

sorry

 

[swwake]

I can't believe this hasn't been posted on this thread. I hope everyone is ok.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/universal/Guests_trapped_inside_Harry_Potter_and_the_Forbidden_Journey.htm

 

[bubba's mom]

I can't believe this hasn't been posted on this thread. I hope everyone is ok.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/universal/Guests_trapped_inside_Harry_Potter_and_the_Forbidden_Journey.htm

Rollercoaster?

Upsidedown?



That's some good news coverage.


I'm sure everyone was fine....it doesn't take you THAT far up in the air.

I'm sure more will be read tomorrow....it just happened a few hours ago.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I can't believe this hasn't been posted on this thread. I hope everyone is ok.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/universal/Guests_trapped_inside_Harry_Potter_and_the_Forbidden_Journey.htm

Rollercoaster?

Upsidedown?



That's some good news coverage.


I'm sure everyone was fine....it doesn't take you THAT far up in the air.

I'm sure more will be read tomorrow....it just happened a few hours ago.

Plus, correct me if I'm wrong, but it has stopped/broken down numerous times over the past couple of months

 

[bjakmom]

1st - I hope everyone was OK . . . 2nd - I hope there was a picture crazy DISer there who got us some pics of the 'inside' of the ride with their cell phone while they were being evacuated!

 

[nhrenee]

Haha! I thought the same thing:

Omg-hope everyone's ok. Oh, wonder if anyone took inside pictures.

 

[bubba's mom]

Plus, correct me if I'm wrong, but it has stopped/broken down numerous times over the past couple of months

no...you ain't wrong sista!

 

[ChrisFL]

Probably about as much as Spiderman broke down when it first opened, or Test Track when it did.

 

[damo]

I am actually surprised how consistent FJ has been! It's been a great opening.

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of hatetofly, Orlando United
http://www.orlandounited.com

 

[Don Pacho]

Courtesy of hatetofly, Orlando United
http://www.orlandounited.com

Just got back from Universal about 20 minutes ago and had a great time. I have some pictures to share with everyone, I hope you enjoy them. A few notes about the pictures. I got there at 9:20 am and the line to get in started in Toon Lagoon just before Dudley's bridge. A family in front of me asked an employee how long and there reply was 90 minutes from here just to get into the WWoHP. The family shrieked and I being a nice person talked them into staying in line and to trust me. 15 minutes later we were in, and I was there hero lol.

The FJ queue was crazy long, and I have not followed the thread in regards to the wait times for it but out of the seven ( I think) times I have been since opening I have never seen it like this. Got two rides in, single rider was a walk on. I only did two because time was limited but I easily could have gotten 10 rides in within an hour or so. Seriously no one was using it! Anyways on to the pics and those wondering about FJ effects working and not working I am putting that in the FJ spoiler thread. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

 

[diberry]

Please can you tell me where to find the photos section. I've seen some really wonderful photos posted on this board from http://www.orlandounited.com but I can't find the photos on that website. Please help as we go next week and I want to see as many photos as I possibly can.

 

[damo]

Please can you tell me where to find the photos section. I've seen some really wonderful photos posted on this board from http://www.orlandounited.com but I can't find the photos on that website. Please help as we go next week and I want to see as many photos as I possibly can.

They are mostly in this thread (which is huge) http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/showthread.php?4049-The-Wizarding-World-of-Harry-Potter-Part-2

 

[traceycooper]

we check into RPR next week - just wanted to ask about the early entry for guests, we are their for 5 days - will we get early entry every day??